100 Men Club donates $12,000 to hockey-player charity; paralyzed teen to get a wheelchair

100 Men Club of Metro Detroit had its second meeting on Thursday in Royal Oak. The group has four meetings per year and raise $10,000 at each meeting to give to a worthy charity
Wochit

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Sarahanne Mastronardi, waves to a friend while walking behind her son, Anthony Mastronardi, during a fundraising event for Anthony, on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Fraser Hockeyland in Fraser. Mastronardi suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a high school hockey game in December 2016.(Photo: Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press)Buy Photo

When the 100 Men Club met in September to decide what cause would receive the charitable group's quarterly donation, it didn't take long to pick Hockey Has Heart.

That means Anthony Mastronardi, a hockey player at Macomb Dakota High School who was left paralyzed after he crashed head-first into the boards last December, will be getting a specialized wheelchair.

The 100 Men Club is handing out $12,600 to Hockey Has Heart -- its third charitable gift since getting started in December 2016. The check will be presented on Monday at Granite City in Troy.

“The goal of Hockey Has Heart is to support Michigan hockey families facing life-altering challenges like those of the Mastronardi family,’’ said 100 Men Club member Rich Gunther, who nominated the HHH for the gift.

The concept behind the 100 Men Club is simple: Get 100 men to donate $100 apiece each quarter, and give the resulting $10,000 to a charity of the club's choice. The idea is to get more bang for the buck when it comes to charitable giving.

Since launching with 50 people in December 2016, its membership since has grown to 140. Mastronardi's uncle, Jim Mastronardi, is now part of the 100 Men Club.

Tom Downey, one of the founding members, said: “The 100 Men Club is focused on those in the community who are less fortunate or simply need a helping hand. This donation to Hockey has Heart is a perfect example of the positive impact we can have on the human spirit.’’

Since Anthony's injury, Hockey Has Heart has worked closely with the Mastronardi family.

"Anthony and his family are deeply touched by the generosity of the 100 Men Club," said Lucy Oakleaf, president of Hockey Has Heart. "Anthony’s faith, strength and the love of his family and friends continue to be an inspiration to us all.''

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Anthony Mastronardi of Macomb Township, left, works at a pegboard as his occupational therapist Brittany Falzon encourages him during an occupational therapy session, Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at DMC's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Detroit. (Photo: Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Join 100 Men

Joining the 100 Men Club is easy. It starts by visiting the group’s website, www.100menclub.com/join-us/ and making a $100 donation.

Afterward, you’ll be added to the group’s newsletter. They meet quarterly at a metro Detroit restaurant to vote on which charity will receive a donation for the period.